
National Processing Review 2024: Fees, Features and Alternatives
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The average processing fee for debit card transactions is 34 cents in interchange plus your processor’s markup.

Square processing fees depend on your subscription tier. Those range from $0 to $149 each month.

PayPal's in-person processing fees are some of the cheapest on the market. But its online fees can add up.

Sole proprietorships are the simplest business entity — their taxes are pretty straightforward too.

This guide explains W-2 and W-4 tax forms, covering their differences as well as how to fill them out.

The nature of your LLC can influence which tax forms you need and what you ultimately owe.

A limited liability company (LLC) separates a company from its owners. This protects the owners’ personal assets if the business loses money or gets sued.

Weigh the pros and cons of sole proprietorship to decide if this is the best entity type for your small business.

Setting your business up as a sole proprietorship is typically easy and inexpensive. But forming an LLC can offer legal protections and tax flexibility.

Both Xero and QuickBooks Online are 5-star products. The right choice for you depends on your business’s complexity and user interface preference.

Small-business bookkeeping involves setting up a framework, choosing your method and keeping track of details.

QuickBooks has multiple options to choose from. QuickBooks Online is the most versatile.

With 250+ articles and 80+ years of combined expertise, our team helps you make confident financial choices. Discover more from NerdWallet's writers and strategists.

After looking at more than 50 accounting software products, I think these five fit the bill for the most small businesses.


Bizee may be the better choice if you want low-cost business formation and compliance help. LegalZoom is likely a better fit if you need ongoing legal support or access to an attorney.


LegalMatch connects small-business owners with local attorneys for contracts, disputes, compliance and other legal needs, but customer reviews are mixed.


A foreign LLC is an existing limited liability company that registers to do business in a state other than the one where it was originally formed.


The best LLC formation services give you only what you need for your business and at a reasonable cost. Don’t pay for extraneous services, and watch out for sneaky auto-renewal fees.


LegalShield gives small businesses affordable, subscription-based access to attorneys for consultations, contract review, debt collection help and even trial defense add-ons.


Legal services that small-business owners can access online for a prepaid fee range from full-service business formation and management options to subscription-based legal consultations. Pricing varies widely depending on your needs.


Rocket Lawyer is an online legal services provider that helps small businesses with documents, contracts, business entity creation and more.


LegalZoom positions itself as a one-stop legal platform for small businesses, offering everything from formation filing to trademark registration.


After looking at 25 payment processors, I think these five are the best for different business types.


Fractional CFOs can provide the financial guidance that startups and growing businesses need — at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.


Bookkeeping typically costs around $300 per month. Your monthly bill also depends on your business's complexity.


On top of deposit times and pricing, consider your business’s size and industry.


Square is a safe pick for lots of small businesses. Just be mindful of one particular risk.


Are you getting your money’s worth out of QuickBooks? Consider your budget, business size and which features you actually need.


Square takes it back to the basics for a reasonable price.


Free accounting software offers fewer features, integrations and automation tools than paid options.


Consider industry-specific integrations, user limits and monthly pricing to find the best fit for your business.


We give both Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online 5 stars. The best choice for you depends on your budget, business complexity and how you plan to work with an accountant.


Most businesses that are officially registered with their secretary of state will need to complete a BOI report.
